Continuing on with what Jean and Dale said yesterday...yes, meditation si the only thing that has ever given me that spaciousness where it feels like I can sort things out - or see that I don't need to. It's amazing how quickly that realization comes back when you get back onto the cushion. And how much it affects the rest of one's awareness during the day. Why do we stop? Laziness? lack of discipline? And I know I'll fall off and start forgetting again, because it always happens!
Anxious to go on retreat. I don't see any way to make it happen until next year, though.
I think why we stop is actually the most interesting question of all. I'm not sure that "laziness" has any useful meaning. I think it may serve the same purpose in our minds that "the Devil" serves in some people's -- as a convenient label for things we won't or can't look at.
I was just going to say: oh but Dale why not are you sure where there's a will etc etc... and then I realised it's almost October already so it's not very long until next year! Hope you can start planning this.
mmm, only one of the many complex reasons I stop is that life gets too crowded. When I get overly busy its hard to find the energy for meditation when I need it most. I was just recognizing this in myself as I was walking to work today -- very thankful for the few moments of sactuary I found in sitting that I probably would not have afforded myself if it weren't for the encouragement of all of you.
It's tricky. If you try to be cool and lose the motivation before you get to the cushion, you end up being cool, maybe, but not meditating and probably not getting anywhere. I think the most skillful thing to do is to give the motivation free rein until the moment your backside hits the cushion. *Then* you can take a moment to examine what things you're hoping to get out of it, and put a little effort into laying them aside. It's too much to hope that the expectations won't walk into the meditation with you, I think, but anyway you can keep them from swaggering in like they own the place.
In my tradition we also are careful to include the "bodhicitta aspiration" every time we meditate, in one fashion or another -- formally cultivating the intention to meditate for the benefit of all sentient beings. Even after years, I have to confess that intention is only a bit player in what brings me to the cushion, but the fact that it's there at all is I think terribly important.
I didn't sit until 9.00 pm when I got home last night. Didn't sit again this morning, either, so it will have to be tonight. Glad I am managing it in the evening, even if I'm very tired, but I much prefer sitting as soon as I get up in the morning.
Starting anew every day, without regret for that not done the previous day, is hard, but very much to the point, I think. Part of the wider challenge to be at peace with the 'mess' instead of trying so hard to control it.
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Continuing on with what Jean and Dale said yesterday...yes, meditation si the only thing that has ever given me that spaciousness where it feels like I can sort things out - or see that I don't need to. It's amazing how quickly that realization comes back when you get back onto the cushion. And how much it affects the rest of one's awareness during the day. Why do we stop? Laziness? lack of discipline? And I know I'll fall off and start forgetting again, because it always happens!
Sat at the Sangha last night.
Anxious to go on retreat. I don't see any way to make it happen until next year, though.
I think why we stop is actually the most interesting question of all. I'm not sure that "laziness" has any useful meaning. I think it may serve the same purpose in our minds that "the Devil" serves in some people's -- as a convenient label for things we won't or can't look at.
I was just going to say: oh but Dale why not are you sure where there's a will etc etc... and then I realised it's almost October already so it's not very long until next year! Hope you can start planning this.
mmm, only one of the many complex reasons I stop is that life gets too crowded. When I get overly busy its hard to find the energy for meditation when I need it most. I was just recognizing this in myself as I was walking to work today -- very thankful for the few moments of sactuary I found in sitting that I probably would not have afforded myself if it weren't for the encouragement of all of you.
Thank you again.
It's tricky. If you try to be cool and lose the motivation before you get to the cushion, you end up being cool, maybe, but not meditating and probably not getting anywhere. I think the most skillful thing to do is to give the motivation free rein until the moment your backside hits the cushion. *Then* you can take a moment to examine what things you're hoping to get out of it, and put a little effort into laying them aside. It's too much to hope that the expectations won't walk into the meditation with you, I think, but anyway you can keep them from swaggering in like they own the place.
In my tradition we also are careful to include the "bodhicitta aspiration" every time we meditate, in one fashion or another -- formally cultivating the intention to meditate for the benefit of all sentient beings. Even after years, I have to confess that intention is only a bit player in what brings me to the cushion, but the fact that it's there at all is I think terribly important.
I didn't sit until 9.00 pm when I got home last night. Didn't sit again this morning, either, so it will have to be tonight. Glad I am managing it in the evening, even if I'm very tired, but I much prefer sitting as soon as I get up in the morning.
Starting anew every day, without regret for that not done the previous day, is hard, but very much to the point, I think. Part of the wider challenge to be at peace with the 'mess' instead of trying so hard to control it.
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